The Captain's Lady Read Online Free PDF Page B

few times. And that makes her drop things, stumble. She's fine around me, and others."
    Eric gave an abrupt wave of his hand to signal this was the end of the discussion about Gail. He glanced over at Abby. The bruises were purple with shadows of green and yellow. How could anyone have hit her? “How is she?” he asked.
    "Actually she's doing pretty good, considering what she's been through. Her blood pressure's stable. We've managed to get her re-hydrated. In her advanced state of pregnancy, with those bruised ribs, she has to be extremely uncomfortable every time the baby kicks. She hasn't complained once. I've given her something for the pain. Unfortunately, she'll have some discomfort for a while yet."
    Larry tapped Eric on the knee. “Are you listening? You seem to be in another world."
    Eric started and looked him in the eye. “Is there anything else, Doc?"
    Larry didn't react to Eric's brusque reply. “Joe told me you don't want her moved. For what it's worth, I actually meant to suggest it to you. With what she's been through, it would be an added stress on her and the baby I would rather avoid right now.” Feeling restless, he crossed then re-crossed his arms in front of him. “She needs to take it easy for the next several days. She has a mild sprain in her right ankle. She'll need to stay off it."
    "Are you saying it wouldn't be safe to move her now?"
    "In my opinion, she's too far along to be putting her on a chopper. The stress might trigger early labor. Near as we can tell—remember, I'm not an obstetrician—"
    "No kidding!"
    "Near as I can determine ... the baby still has another three weeks until term. It's wise not to mess with Mother Nature."
    Eric kept his eyes glued to Larry, scrutinizing everything he said.
    "We could probably move her to the base hospital in Bahrain in a few days or a week, at the latest.” Larry paused for just a moment, and then looked over at Abby. “Keep in mind, Captain, she was worked over pretty good."
    Stretching his arms, he locked his hands behind his head, and then lowered his voice. A hazy foreboding lingered in the back of his mind, a gentle reminder of the talk they still needed to have. After everything she'd been through, Eric wondered how to make her feel secure enough to confide in him. “I need to talk to her. Do you think she's up to it?"
    Standing sharply, Larry walked over to the steel counter along the wall beside the exam table. He unlatched a secured drawer, pulled out a stethoscope, and turned back to the captain. “Let me do a quick exam, but I think it should be fine.” He clutched the stethoscope and pursed his thin lips before continuing. “I feel I need to warn you to take care and not get her worked up."
    Eric softened his expression, giving a quick nod to the doctor before standing and towering over him. “The last thing I want to do is upset her."
    "I presume you probably want me to leave?"
    "Yeah, make yourself scarce. Also do me a favor and make sure Carruthers stays gone a while longer."
    Larry nodded.
    Abby had finished her lunch and set the spoon and bowl on the tray. She remained in a sitting position, her feet dangling over the side of the bed, drinking apple juice. Absently, she rubbed her lower back with one hand. As Larry approached, dangling the stethoscope from two fingers, she set down the empty cup. Unease hooked around her as Eric followed. His expression was unreadable, maybe even a bit predatory.
    The doctor utilized his kind bedside manner. “Abby, I want to do a quick check of your vitals. Did you get enough to eat?"
    Matching the warm smile, she replied with a quick nod. “Yes, thank you. It was more than enough."
    Larry draped the stethoscope around his neck, and then pulled the table away to help her to slide back into bed. When she tried to lie down, he stopped her with a firm grip on the arm. “No, I need you to sit up this time.” He gestured with the vertical flat of the other hand to the locker against the